Chesterfield Golf Club Derbyshire

Chesterfield Golf Club was formed in 1897 and moved to its present site at Walton in 1906. The course is either side of woodland (Riggots Plantation), the top seven holes on the eastern side being quite different in character to the remaining eleven holes on the lower western side of the course, over which Birdholme Brook meanders and brings many golfers to a watery end. (Golf wise that is!)

The first tee is approached through Riggots Plantation and reveals a fairly gentle par 4 at just under 300 yards. Usually only a drive and a pitch – but trouble lurks on the right and out of bounds is quite close on the left.

The next two holes are a much sterner test – both being over 400 yards, demanding accurate driving and sometimes long irons into the greens depending on the wind (above photo. of 2nd green and 3rd fairway). The fourth gives a little respite being similar to the first but beware the hedge on the left and the silver birches on the right. On the fifth the drive is everything, do not lift your head up! And the plateau green is always a challenge to find.

We then cross the first fairway (beware of driven balls from the left) and come to the first short hole – just 200 yards downhill and is a testing mid to long iron, better to be short of the green than miss it Pin High.

This brings us to the seventh tee, adjacent to the first tee. Place the drive just to the right of the fairway and beware the second shot – more difficult than it looks to a well-guarded green which was rebuilt in 2003. Walk through the woods to reveal the delightful par three eighth and view the ninth that is the first par five played along the bottom edge of Riggots Plantation, to the haven of the Halfway House for a welcome cup of tea (photo shows Halfway House and 10th fairway).

The 10th teeKeep left on the tenth and mind the brook for the second shot, then keep left on the eleventh, the second par five (reachable in two, but likely a six if you go for it). The twelfth is a longish par three along the brook side bringing you to the par four thirteenth which Max Faulkner thought was a par five! The fourteenth follows the eastern edge of Walton Wood and brings us to the par three fifteenth, another lovely hole over the stream. Take a deep breath to go up the hill to the sixteenth green, not that the downhill seventeenth is any easier with a long shot to the plateau green and the stream with deep trouble on the right hand side. Turn left to the eighteenth tee – with home in sight some 500 yards away. After the climb to the clubhouse from the McKenzie green, relax in the lounge enjoy the intoxicating views over the course and marvel over the wonderful game of golf.